Pallet box



June 21, 1960 K. w. SIM 2,941,771

PALLET BOX Filed April 28, less INVENTOR ATTORNEY PALLET BOX Filed Apr. 28, 1958, Ser. No. 731,336 1 Claim. (Cl. 248- 120) This invention relates to pallet boxes.

It is an object of invention to provide a pallet box of knock-down type which is of simple and inexpensive structure, which is capable of rapid, convenient erection, which possesses satisfactory strength, security, and rigidity in erected condition, and which may be quickly knocked down for storage or transportation.

Another object is to provide a pallet box which may be conveniently used in association with inexpensive dumping equipment.

Another object is to provide a pallet box of knockdown type which is capable of rigid erection, with simple self-contained fastening means.

The invention resides in a pallet box comprising a pallet having a top deck, a bottom deck, and supporting stringers, each of said top and bottom decks having portions extending laterally beyond said stringers, said top deck being recessed from the ends of said stringers, a pair of side Walls each having a transverse member arranged to be received between said laterally extending portions of said decks to secure said side walls to said pallet against perpendicular movement with respect thereto and a pair of end walls arranged to be seated upon said top deck and each having a transverse member arranged to be seated upon the end portions of said stringers, each of said walls having end portions arranged to overlap end portions of said side walls, and means for releasably locking together said overlapping portions.

The invention will be described accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pallet box in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a partial side elevation of the pallet and one side wall associated therewith,

Figure 3 is a partial side elevation of the pallet and another side wall associated therewith, and

Figure 4 is a partial side elevation of the assembled box.

In the drawing, 1 is a pallet having a bottom deck composed of a plurality of slats 2 fixed to stringers 3 and a top deck composed of a plurality of slats 4 also fixed to the stringers 3. The end portions 5 of bottom deck slats project laterally beyond the stringers 3 and the end portions 6 of the top deck slats also project laterally beyond the stringers 3, but to a slightly less extent. The outer edge of each of leading slats 2 of the bottom 'deck is preferably approximately flush with the end edges of the stringers. The outer edge of each of the leading slats 4 of the top deck is slightly recessed inwardly from the end edges of the stringers to provide shoulders 7 on each of the stringers.

A pair of side walls 8 each comprise a plurality of slots 9 mounted upon cross members 10 on the outer sides of the slats. One edge portion of each side wall 8, which constitutes the lower edge portion of the side wall, is provided with a transverse member or cleat 11, such cleat being fixed to the inner sides of the slats and with reference to the 2,941,771 Patented June 21,1960

posts terminati g short of the adjacent ends of slats 9 a distance equal to-the width of stringers 3 and thethi'ckness ofthe upper'deck of the allet. The width of 11 is substantially equal to, or slightly less than, that of stringers .3, Thus each side wall 8 may be applied to the pallet 1 with the cleat 11 engaging the side surface of a stringer sand fitting between the projection portions 5 and 6 of the pallet decks, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. In such posit-ion, the lower ends of at least the central slat-s 9 rest hpoh the parts of the end portions 5 of the bottom deck slats which extend beyond the end portions 6 of the top deck slats, and the lower ends of posts 12 rest upon the end portions of the top deck which are directly supported by stringers 3 and cleat 11. The outer edge of each post 12 in the erected position of the wall 8 is disposed substantially flush with the -adj-acent edge of the top deck of the pallet.

A pair of end walls 14 each comprise a plurality of slats 15 fixed to cross members 16, the ends of the latter members projecting slightly laterally beyond the adjacent slat. The lower ends of the slats 15 terminate slightly inwardly of the edge of the adjacent cross memher 16 whereby, when each end wall is applied to the pallet, the lower edge of such cross member 16 will seat upon the shoulders 7 of the stringers and the lower ends of the slats will seat upon the marginal surface of the top deck. In such position the projecting ends of the cross members 16 will engage the edges of posts 12.

Means are provided for releasably securing the end walls 14 to the side walls 8. While any suitable means may be provided, that disclosed is of simple and satisfactory character. Each post 12 is provided with a plurality of laterally extending lag bolts 17, each of which is arranged to be in opposing relation to one of the projecting ends of cross members 16. Each of such 0pposing projecting ends is provided on its outer surface with a metal or like plate 18. A slot 19 is provided in each such plate and in the underlying projecting end, such slot having its entrance mouth located in the lower edge of the plate and projecting member. The end wall of each slot is located at a point whereby, in the erected position of the end Wall, such end wall will snugly engage or embrace a lag bolt 17. Thus, by tightening each lag bolt, the end wall will be securely attached to side walls 8 to complete the erection of the pallet box.

It will be apparent that the resulting pallet box, while of demountable type, provides great strength and rigidity in erected condition. Since the side walls are strongly connected between the decks of the pallet and the upper deck of the pallet is firmly supported by engagement therewith of the side and end walls, the box is capable of withstanding lifting stresses. The particular mounting of the side and end walls on the pallet and the manner of locking such side and end Walls together provides great rigidity in the lateral direction and enables the box to meet satisfactorily, conditions of use. The box may conveniently be used with a mechanical dumper, or for filling or emptying directly to or from the unit by hand or other means.

The box may be constructed of any suitable material, such as wood boards, plywood and the like.

While the box, as illustrated, is adapted for two-way entry, it will be understood that the pallet may be readily altered for four-way entry.

It will be apparent that, to dismantle the erected box, it is simply necessary to unloosen the lag bolts, when the end walls may be removed, leaving the side walls free for removal. Thus, the dismantling operation may be effected in a rapid and convenient manner.

I claim:

A demountable pallet box comprising a having a top deck, a bottom deck, and supporting stringers therebetween, each of said-top and bottom decks having portions extending laterally beyond said stringers, each of said bottom-deck portions being of greater lateral extent than each of said top deck portions, saidtoprdeck being recessed from the ends of said stringers, said bottom deck terminating substantially at the ends of said stringers, a pair of side walls each having a. transverse member locatedbesween said laterally extending poring portion of said bottom deck and a pair of corner posts seated on said laterally extending portion of said top deck, and a pair of end walls each having-anamverse member defining the lowermost port-ion thereof seated upon the ends of said stringers adjoining said top deck, each of said end walls also having transverse members each having end portions engaging said posts, and means mounted on said posts and end portions of said end wall transverse member for releasably locking together said end and side walls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 431,287 Scovel July 1, 1890 2,495,711 Fletcher Jan.3l, 1950 2,651,431 Johnson Sept. 8, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 101,763 Austria Nov. 25, 1925 636,440

Great Britain Apr. 26, 1950 

